Connector for earth moving implements

A connector for connecting an implement to a prime mover, the connector being mountable on the prime mover, the connector having at least one recess for receiving a connecting pin mounted on the implement, and retaining means provided to, in use, hold the implement on the connector, and wherein the connector further includes at least one latching means,

• the latching means having a locking member which is supported by, and is movably mounted on, the connector and which is movable between an extended position in which the locking member can prevent the connecting pin from exiting the recess, and a retracted position in which the locking member allows the connecting pin to exit the recess, the latching means also having a biasing means which is adapted to bias the locking member toward the extended position, and
• the movably mounted locking member is positioned and aligned such that, when in use, the locking member can be pushed toward the retracted position by the connecting pin as the connecting pin enters the at least one recess, the locking member can be moved back to the extended position by the biasing means once the connecting pin is fully home within the at least one recess, and once fully home the connecting pin is held within the at least one recess by the locking member and is not able to push the locking member toward the retracted position, and
• the latching means further includes a powered actuator adapted to selectively move the locking member to the retracted position.

An apparatus for connecting an implement to a prime mover, the apparatus comprising:

• a connector that is mountable on the prime mover, and has at least one recess for receiving a connecting pin mounted on the implement;
• a retainer provided to, in use, hold the implement on the connector;
• a locking member that is configured to move between an extended position in which the locking member prevents the connecting pin from exiting the recess and a retracted position in which the locking member allows the connecting pin to exit the recess, the locking member being biased toward the extended position by a spring, the locking member being positioned and aligned such that, when in use, as the connecting pin of the implement enters the at least one recess the locking member is pushed by the connecting pin toward the retracted position;
• and
• a powered actuator adapted to selectively move the locking member to the retracted position,
• and when the connecting pin is fully home within the recess the locking member is moved to, and held in, the extended position by the spring, and the connecting pin is not able to push the locking member toward the retracted position.